If you've been waiting for the highly anticipated all-new Toyota Tacoma, the Japanese automaker announced that it will be unveiled on May 19. Now the Toyota Tacoma has dominated the mid-sized truck market for several years now. Currently, it sits at the top of the class as the best-selling truck in its segment. Buyers love its simplicity, dependability, capabilities, and cool looks. It is a truck that perfectly combines lifestyle attributes with work and recreation.
As you may be aware, the current model is getting a bit old, and it certainly deserves a makeover. Its engines are inefficient and underpowered (but very reliable), and its transmission is ancient. Thankfully, Toyota will soon release an all-new model that in our opinion should once again take over the mid-sized truck market with the same but improved attributes. Why change a recipe that works right? So, let’s take a look at what we can expect.
The Toyota Tacoma Should Strike A Perfect Balance Between Utility And Usability
Toyota has long been known for the dependability and reliability of its vehicles. However, have you ever thought about where that durability and reliability come from? Sure, the materials and design do play a role in the general longevity of the vehicle. However, the main reason Toyotas are so reliable is their simplicity. Toyota vehicles always seem to have less equipment. This isn’t because Toyota doesn’t want to add more features but rather because engineers are aware of the potential problems associated with more technology.
Sure, new Toyotas are more complicated than ever, but they tend to be simpler than other vehicles available. The company still needs to follow market trends and currently, the automotive world calls for gadgets and screens. However, the new model of the mid-sized pickup will manage to infuse all the new-era tech in a robust and reliable platform.
The new Tacoma is going to be underpinned by Toyota's new TNGA-Fshared with he 4Runner and Sequoia. Therefore, the new vehicle will remain a body-on-frame truck with a solid rear axle and independent front suspension. This is one of the most robust designs that any vehicle can have. Even more exciting is the fact that the rear axle will now be coil-sprung with disc brakes rather than leaf sprung with drum brakes. This will give the Tacoma a better ride quality, more off-road articulation, and better-breaking performance than the vast majority of other mid-sized trucks on the market.
So, the interior may be filled with technology like screens and traction systems; however, the basic underpinnings of the Tacoma should still remain old-school. This ensures that the vehicle remains both tough, but also competitive in this ever-changing world.
A Trim Level Will Be Available For Everyone
The Tacoma offers many trim levels for buyers to choose from. From the base model, stripped-down work trucks all the way to the off-road-tuned TRD-Pro machines that can tackle the harshest environments of the world. This trim-level trend will continue with the new model and will perhaps get even more comprehensive. Added to the line-up we now have the Trailhunter that will give all other manufacturers a run for their money. The teaser image above, we can confirm the iForce Max hybrid to trickle down from the Tundra.
You see, after recent world events, more and more people are longing for adventure. The overlanding concept (vehicle-based travel) is more famous than ever which has led to many people kitting out their trucks for adventure. Toyota saw this trend in the market and decided to offer a trim level that offers a factory-modified vehicle ready for expeditions. This means that buyers won’t have to go through the headache of deciding which aftermarket parts to go for, where to get them installed, and how to finance them separately.
We still aren’t sure if the Trailhubter edition will sit below, alongside, or above the TRD Pro, but we know for sure that it will feature some great upgrades. Teaser photos have revealed ARB steel bumpers and tow hooks. Furthermore, a fully released Tundra Trailhunter features a bed rack and even a rooftop tent. This isn’t a gimmick, but a full-on upgrade that will be useful to many.
The Non-Hybrid Variants Will Be Some Of The Simplest Trucks on The Road
The last reason why Tacoma will decimate the truck world ties along with the first one. It appears that aside from the expensive off-road models, Toyota will also offer some of the simplest trucks on the market. The company has just teased the world with a photo of three pedals stating “Legends are more than automatic; they always come in clutch.” This teaser suggests that we will be getting a manual transmission option on the Tacoma. At the moment, the Jeep Gladiator is the only mid-size truck to offer a stick.
The manual option will probably be available in the cheaper non-hybrid vehicles. Therefore, we can expect Toyota’s turbo 2.4-liter four-cylinder or the naturally aspirated 2.5 to be paired with the manual transmission (likely a six-speed). This will lead to some of the simplest and most reliable trucks on the current market. Think about it, we will get a manual transmission and a non-electrified drive train. This combination is getting rarer by the day.
Of course, the possibility of getting the manual transmission in more expensive trim levels isn’t ruled out yet. It would be insanely cool to see a manual TRD Pro or TrailHunter as it will suit the rugged usage intended for the vehicle really well. Worth mentioning is that a manually shifted hybrid is highly unlikely as the company has never paired a three-pedaled transmission with an electrified powertrain.
So, the fact that the Tacoma will feature a wide variety of trim levels, revised exterior and interior with bang up to date tech, and more powertrain options, leads to a great possibility of the truck continutung to dominate the mid-size pickup truck market. At the end of the day, the above recipe is what Toyota has been using for years and the new truck will offer an even more refined version of it. So, the chances of success are insanely high.